🔗 Share this article

Mainstream parties in power are more and more allowing the radical right to dictate the public discourse, as per a new research conducted in Germany.

Researchers found that this trend has unwittingly helped radical groups by legitimising their ideas and disseminating them to a broader audience.

Study Based on Two Decades of News Reporting

The results, published in the European Journal of Political Research, utilized an computerized content review of over 520,000 news pieces from six German newspapers.

Capital-based researchers noted that as the radical faction moved from marginal topics in the late 1990s to core themes like integration and migration, mainstream parties progressively adjusted their messaging in reaction.

This adaptation amplified the spread of these concepts and indicated to the electorate that such positions were acceptable.

Implications for Democracy

"Political communication by established parties plays a central role in the electoral success of the radical right," stated a expert in political behavior participating in the research.

"This factor has been underestimated," she noted.

The impact was noticeable even when mainstream groups were criticising the far right. "They still receive focus," the researcher commented. "The main point is that because we live in such a struggle for visibility, this focus is crucial."

Mainstreaming Phenomenon Across the Continent

While the research was focused on the German context, this normalisation effect is probable to apply to nations throughout Europe.

"This is frequently observed in European media," said another co-author. "Radical groups says something and everybody begins discussing it for several days."

"Although you're opposing it, you're echoing it," he added.

Hardening of Political Discourse

At certain points, leaders have also toughened their discourse to align with that of the radical right.

In a recent interview, a then German chancellor called for widespread deportations and urged them to happen "more frequently and rapidly."

Comparable instances can be observed throughout the continent, as elected officials from countries including the United Kingdom to the French Republic embrace the language of the radical right, particularly on immigration.

This has created an echo chamber that would have been inconceivable a decade ago.

Central Issue: Who Dictates the Narrative?

"{If you're a moderate party and you are talking about societal topics – immigration, integration – in a way that is dictated by the rhythm of the radical right, that's the essence of narrative control," explained a study author.

Some political parties have gone one step further, seeking to copy the hardline agenda of the radical right, even as studies suggests that doing so drives voters to cast their ballot for the radical faction.

Progressive Impact and Public Perception

The scope of information collected revealed that the influence of far-right groups had been progressive and had increased over time.

"Public perception doesn't change from one day to another," commented a co-author. "However, when you encounter this pessimistic narrative around migration frequently, and it is being disseminated not only by far-right parties but also, for example, by mainstream political organizations, then of course this storyline travels further."

Requirement for Established Parties to Develop Their Distinct Narratives

The research emphasized the necessity for established political parties to develop their distinct narratives, especially on topics such as immigration and assimilation, instead of constantly trailing after the radical right.

"It's like a dance," explained one researcher. "When the leader is radical and you're responding to them, you lose the ability to choose which music should be playing."